My son is entering junior year..

My son is entering Junior year, I was hoping to get some advice to make sure we are on the right path. He has attended service academy days, attended the admissions session at the USNA. His high school guidance counselors are not much help. Thank you very much for any advice you can offer.

Your DS should read every page, link and drop down on the USNA.edu website, ditto elected rep/senator nomination sources. Build out a timeline and action steps. This is his year to get smart on the process. He should also spend a lot of time thinking about "what comes after," the years of service obligation, as well as Plans B, C, etc.

Research NASS and other common summer activities, such as Boys' State.

He should also explore the four other Federal Academies, to rule them in or out.

Scan the "chance me" and "stats" threads on here to see what both successful and unsuccessful candidates present in terms of grades, class standing, test scores, classes, leadership, sports, community.

Read the medical info pages at USNA.edu, so as to be prepared for any surprises in the physical DQ area. There are some conditions for which the candidate has to be off medications for x period of time or not require accommodations.

Above all, let it be his process to execute, with you in a supporting role. The process itself is a test of diligence, perseverance and attention to detail - for a reason.

Visit if you can - take the Visitor Center walking tour and attend the Admissions brief (details on USNA.edu).

(I know he has already done some of this, but this gets asked in various forms, so my stock answer just pops out.)

My son is entering Junior year, I was hoping to get some advice to make sure we are on the right path. He has attended service academy days, attended the admissions session at the USNA. His high school guidance counselors are not much help. Thank you very much for any advice you can offer.

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It sounds like you are on the right track by being proactive. In addition to following the excellent advice above, also recommend applying for NROTC scholarship at the same time (junior year). It is pretty common to apply more than once.

The application for appointment and the applications for the nominations are not that complicated, but there are a lot of 'gates' to pass through. Guidance counselors have specific roles in the process and they are not complicated - but they must be accomplished. Your BGO can help them when the time comes, but if the guidance counselor is clueless (not uncommon) doing the research Capt MJ points out should include the roles and responsibilities of third parties such as the guidance counselor and their responsibilities should be included in your timeline. (Same as letter of recommendations and the mandatory inputs from the Math/English instructors.)

Every nomination source can have their own process - learn what the are. If you live in TN, don't try to learn how it's done from someone that applied to congressman/senators in NY (the generalities will be the same)

DoDMeRB has their process and training for and taking the CFA (which is a relatively unique test of physical fitness) all need to be planned out.

IMHO - many of the 'gates' are used for people to self-eliminate because they just get tired of the process and don't complete the steps.

I agree, if you do the things suggested in the above posts, you probably won't have any new/different questions to ask here. The same topics get discussed repeatedly each year, so you can easily gather information by reviewing prior threads. Official websites associated with the application process provide detail information about how to apply.

A Candidate Visit Weekend this fall would probably be extremely helpful for both your son and you. He would get to be immersed in the brigade for a few days and get info from some of the mids, and would also have an opportunity to meet with Admissions. On Friday of the visit, USNA offers very informative info sessions for parents and the opportunity to ask questions of the admissions counselors. My son was invited by USNA to a CVW out of the blue, but I've been told potential candidates can also request a CVW. Maybe a BGO or a parent who's had experience with doing that can chime in here?

Thank you for the information. My son has visited the USNA several times and has attended the Admission sessions. My son has been told that he could not have a CVW until he was an official candidate. I will tell him to research this further. He has spent a day with a cadet at the USMA, (it is close to where we live), but he has been told the USNA doesn't offer that. He will also be visiting the USAFA in the fall for a guided tour with a cadet.

Thank you for the information. My son has visited the USNA several times and has attended the Admission sessions. My son has been told that he could not have a CVW until he was an official candidate. I will tell him to research this further. He has spent a day with a cadet at the USMA, (it is close to where we live), but he has been told the USNA doesn't offer that. He will also be visiting the USAFA in the fall for a guided tour with a cadet.

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Boy, that's a lot of travel. Suggest apply for summer seminars and go next summer. This is the summer to get serious about running and weight training, studying, and moving forward on your extracurriculars (such as finally completing that Eagle scout service project). Time is running out... The junior year is the most hectic and important academically. Is your son in varsity sports?

"Above all, let it be his process to execute, with you in a supporting role. The process itself is a test of diligence, perseverance and attention to detail - for a reason."

Here, here!!! This is HIS journey. You may or may not be the driver but you're definitely the cheerleader!! It really has to be his 'job' it is a test as CaptMJ said. Definitely look into Boys State....points on app we were told repeatedly! Good luck!!!!

IMHO, the single most important (and often overlooked) thing you can do junior year is impress the heck out of your math and English teachers. These folks must write recommendations and their recs really count! (more than the BGO by far). I'm not suggesting that you be obsequious. Rather, do the obvious. Be on time for class. Do your summer reading and show up prepared on day 1. Do your homework every single night. Participate in class, as appropriate. Get extra help when needed. Be willing to help out classmates who are struggling. Make sure those teachers know about ways you lead at school.

That way, when they are asked to write a rec, the teachers will have plenty of great (and true) stuff to write!